Athletic equipment enabling enhanced mobility

Abstract

A shoulder pad apparatus includes a chest plate. A shoulder cap is formed at an upper portion of the chest plate. A shoulder flap connects to the shoulder cap. An upper arm flap pivotably connects to the shoulder flap. At least one arcuate shell also may pivotably connect to the shoulder flap.

1. A shoulder pad apparatus, comprising:
 a chest plate; 
 a shoulder cap at an upper portion of the chest plate; 
 a shoulder flap connected to the shoulder cap; 
 an upper arm flap pivotably connected to the shoulder flap; and 
 at least one arcuate shell pivotably connected to the shoulder flap, wherein the at least one arcuate shell is connected to the shoulder flap at a first location on a front of the shoulder flap and at a second location on a back of the shoulder flap. 
 
     
     
       2. The shoulder pad apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the shoulder cap is integral with the chest plate. 
     
     
       3. The shoulder pad apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of arcuate shells pivotably connected to the shoulder flap. 
     
     
       4. The shoulder pad apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the arcuate shell is at least as narrow as the shoulder flap. 
     
     
       5. The shoulder pad apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one arcuate shell is connected to the shoulder flap at a first hinge pin on a front of the shoulder flap and at a second hinge pin on a back of the shoulder flap. 
     
     
       6. The shoulder pad apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the shoulder flap is pivotably connected to the shoulder cap. 
     
     
       7. The shoulder pad apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the upper arm flap is connected to the shoulder flap at a first hinge pin on a front of the shoulder flap and at a second hinge pin on a back of the shoulder flap. 
     
     
       8. A shoulder pad apparatus, comprising:
 a chest plate; 
 a shoulder cap at an upper portion of the chest plate; 
 a shoulder flap connected to the shoulder cap; 
 at least one arcuate shell pivotably connected to the shoulder flap; 
 an upper arm flap pivotably connected to the shoulder flap; and 
 a plurality of arcuate shells, wherein each arcuate shell of the plurality of arcuate shells is connected to the shoulder flap at a first hinge pin on a front of the shoulder flap and at a second hinge pin on a back of the shoulder flap. 
 
     
     
       9. The shoulder pad apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the shoulder flap, the upper arm flap and the at least one arcuate shell are situated to recoil within the shoulder cap, thereby allowing a greater range of motion of an arm. 
     
     
       10. A method of using a shoulder pad apparatus, the method comprising:
 wearing the shoulder pad apparatus on at least one shoulder of a user, the shoulder pad apparatus including a chest plate, a shoulder cap at an upper portion of the chest plate, and a shoulder flap connected to the shoulder cap; 
 raising an arm of the user above the shoulder cap; 
 pivoting an upper arm flap on the shoulder flap; and 
 pivoting a plurality of arcuate shells on the shoulder flap. 
 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , further comprising pivoting the plurality of arcuate shells along at least two locations on the shoulder flap. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 10 , further comprising pivoting the shoulder flap on the shoulder cap. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 10 , further comprising the step of throwing a football with the arm raised above the shoulder cap.